11 for '12: The Best New American Cars of the Year

Divisions were shuttered, workers sacked, supply contracts abrogated. The government put its right foot in and then put its right foot out, and change came to the American auto industry. Now, profits are returning, ludicrous executive bonuses are back, and, best of all, we have many new and improved domestic cars vying for our attention. Here are the notables

Ford Mustang Boss 302
The second-most powerful Mustang is the baddest by far, with a no-nonsense interior, a tweaked 444-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8, side exhaust pipes, and an available TracKey that lets the owner get the most out of his car during a lapping day...or stoplight Grand Prix. Chassis composure which defies the humble on-paper suspension design, a super-slick six-speed manual gearbox, and a satisfyingly sophisticated exhaust note make this one Mustang that can't help but run with the real sports cars.